Muskogee Holds Off Central With Strong Second Half

Originally Published: Sep 18, 2010 12:23 AM CDT

Curt Hill

Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Muskogee defense shutout Central in the second half and turned a four-point halftime deficit into a 21-12 win at S.E. Williams Stadium on Friday night.

The Rougher defense started strong and pitched a shutout through the first 20 minutes. Muskogee got on the board in an unconventional way, recording a field goal and safety. The Roughers looked as if they were going to add to that score late in the second period, but they came up short on a 4th down screen pass.

Central took over with new life and capitalized when Tyrone Garth took a draw and rumbled 56 yards for six points. The two-point conversion was no good and the Braves led 6-5.

Central built on its momentum a few moments later when a tipped pass was intercepted. The Braves cashed in a few plays later when Milton Harper connected with Kalep Daniels, who fought off a Muskogee defender and crossed the goal line. The Braves failed to convert the two-point conversion again and led 12-5 with under a minute remaining in the half.

The Roughers grabbed momentum before the half when Preston Soper nailed a 53-yard field goal as time expired. The kick, which would have been good from 60 yards, made the score 12-8 Central at the break.

Muskogee then scored 13 unanswered points in the final 24 minutes and held on for the victory. The Roughers (2-1) travel to Broken Arrow next week, while Central tries to rebound against Tahlequah (2-1).